Weather: Other areas are reeling

May 15, 2014

Storms remain a concern in our region after Tuesday's scares in Silver Creek and Gowanda.

Through Wednesday evening, however, it looked like we had dodged a bullet. The Finger Lakes region was not as lucky.

In Yates County, which is home to a major wine trail that is similar to one here, many are reeling from the devastation of heavy rains. Roads are wiped out, homes are damaged and other properties are also destroyed.

"Communities in Yates County as well as other areas of Western and Central New York were hit hard by severe thunderstorms and rain showers last night, leaving flooded roads, houses, and damage throughout the region. Given the extensive damage in Penn Yan and surrounding communities, I am declaring a State of Emergency for Yates County to help local governments receive the resources they need as soon as possible," state Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday afternoon. "The state is in close contact with local officials, and has deployed emergency response and recovery teams to affected communities to assist where needed. With the forecast calling for additional thunderstorms and more potential flash flooding, the state will be monitoring the situation closely to see how we can assist local communities, and I urge New Yorkers to stay safe, heed the advice of their local emergency first responders and look out for their friends and neighbors."

Penn Yan is the Yates County seat. Many are banding together to help businesses, neighbors and non-profit organizations in the cleanup efforts.

It is an unfortunate situation that closely mirrors what happened in 2009 in our region.